Sex offender jailed

CONVICTED sex offender with a "deviant and sustained" sexual interest in young children was jailed for 18 months at Birmingham Crown Court after being caught with indecent photos taken from the internet.

CONVICTED sex offender with a "deviant and sustained" sexual interest in young children was jailed for 18 months at Birmingham Crown Court after being caught with indecent photos taken from the internet.

In passing sentence on David Coughtrie, Judge Philip Gregory said he had a "formidable" criminal record which included indecent assaults on children.

He went on: "I am satisfied only a custodial sentence can be justified for the offences you have committed, which have been shameless and determined."

Coughtrie, 37, of Lapworth Grove, Balsall Heath, who admitted 14 charges of possessing indecent images of children, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Peter Cooke, prosecuting, said police became aware that indecent images of children had been found on the computer of a woman Coughtrie had had a relationship with.

As a result they raided his home in November 2003 and seized a computer along with two hard drives which were found to contain 61 illegal pictures.

Coughtrie was bailed but bought another computer and following a second raid a further 83 pictures were found. The court heard the images were of children ranging from the very young to around 14.

When interviewed Coughtrie admitted "nocturnal" use of the internet and going into chat rooms.

Balbir Singh, defending, said there was no evidence Coughtrie had been involved in distribution or sharing of the photos. ..SUPL: